Spanish-American War Era | U.S. Naval Officer Dress Shoulder Set | Late 19th Century

$675.00
$675.00
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Cased set of late 19th-century U.S. Navy officer gold bullion dress epaulettes in original velvet-lined case
Video showcasing an original cased set of late 19th-century United States Navy officer dress epaulettes with gold bullion fringe and velvet-lined storage case.
Antique United States Naval officer epaulettes with gold bullion fringe in fitted storage case
Spanish-American War era U.S. Navy dress epaulettes with gilt eagle buttons and original case
Pair of antique naval officer shoulder epaulettes housed in crimson velvet presentation case
Late 1800s U.S. Navy officer bullion epaulettes with London outfitter marking in original case
Original cased U.S. Navy officer dress uniform epaulettes with gold bullion embroidery
Antique naval uniform epaulettes featuring gold bullion fringe and eagle insignia buttons
Turn-of-the-century U.S. Navy officer ceremonial epaulettes in metal storage case
Historic naval officer dress epaulettes with bullion work and fitted velvet-lined case
Victorian-era U.S. Navy officer epaulettes with gilt brass fittings and bullion fringe
Complete matched set of antique U.S. naval epaulettes in original storage box
U.S. Navy ceremonial officer epaulettes with gold bullion fringe and original presentation case
Antique naval uniform shoulder boards with bullion drops and retailer marking from London
Original late 19th-century naval officer epaulettes with preserved textile backing and case
Collector-grade cased U.S. Navy officer dress epaulettes from circa 1890–1905
Spanish-American War period U.S. naval officer epaulettes in velvet-lined storage case
Historic U.S. Navy officer gold bullion epaulettes with original fitted carrying case
  • Cased set of late 19th-century U.S. Navy officer gold bullion dress epaulettes in original velvet-lined case
  • Video showcasing an original cased set of late 19th-century United States Navy officer dress epaulettes with gold bullion fringe and velvet-lined storage case.
  • Antique United States Naval officer epaulettes with gold bullion fringe in fitted storage case
  • Spanish-American War era U.S. Navy dress epaulettes with gilt eagle buttons and original case
  • Pair of antique naval officer shoulder epaulettes housed in crimson velvet presentation case
  • Late 1800s U.S. Navy officer bullion epaulettes with London outfitter marking in original case
  • Original cased U.S. Navy officer dress uniform epaulettes with gold bullion embroidery
  • Antique naval uniform epaulettes featuring gold bullion fringe and eagle insignia buttons
  • Turn-of-the-century U.S. Navy officer ceremonial epaulettes in metal storage case
  • Historic naval officer dress epaulettes with bullion work and fitted velvet-lined case
  • Victorian-era U.S. Navy officer epaulettes with gilt brass fittings and bullion fringe
  • Complete matched set of antique U.S. naval epaulettes in original storage box
  • U.S. Navy ceremonial officer epaulettes with gold bullion fringe and original presentation case
  • Antique naval uniform shoulder boards with bullion drops and retailer marking from London
  • Original late 19th-century naval officer epaulettes with preserved textile backing and case
  • Collector-grade cased U.S. Navy officer dress epaulettes from circa 1890–1905
  • Spanish-American War period U.S. naval officer epaulettes in velvet-lined storage case
  • Historic U.S. Navy officer gold bullion epaulettes with original fitted carrying case
Cased set of late 19th-century U.S. Navy officer gold bullion dress epaulettes in original velvet-lined case
Video showcasing an original cased set of late 19th-century United States Navy officer dress epaulettes with gold bullion fringe and velvet-lined storage case.
Antique United States Naval officer epaulettes with gold bullion fringe in fitted storage case
Spanish-American War era U.S. Navy dress epaulettes with gilt eagle buttons and original case
Pair of antique naval officer shoulder epaulettes housed in crimson velvet presentation case
Late 1800s U.S. Navy officer bullion epaulettes with London outfitter marking in original case
Original cased U.S. Navy officer dress uniform epaulettes with gold bullion embroidery
Antique naval uniform epaulettes featuring gold bullion fringe and eagle insignia buttons
Turn-of-the-century U.S. Navy officer ceremonial epaulettes in metal storage case
Historic naval officer dress epaulettes with bullion work and fitted velvet-lined case
Victorian-era U.S. Navy officer epaulettes with gilt brass fittings and bullion fringe
Complete matched set of antique U.S. naval epaulettes in original storage box
U.S. Navy ceremonial officer epaulettes with gold bullion fringe and original presentation case
Antique naval uniform shoulder boards with bullion drops and retailer marking from London
Original late 19th-century naval officer epaulettes with preserved textile backing and case
Collector-grade cased U.S. Navy officer dress epaulettes from circa 1890–1905
Spanish-American War period U.S. naval officer epaulettes in velvet-lined storage case
Historic U.S. Navy officer gold bullion epaulettes with original fitted carrying case

Spanish-American War Era | U.S. Naval Officer Dress Shoulder Set | Late 19th Century

Description
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Historical Context & Origin

Region: United States Navy (Retailer: London, England)
Material: Gold bullion wire, gilt brass fittings and buttons, textile foundation, velvet-lined metal storage case
Period: Late 19th Century, circa 1890–1905 (Spanish-American War / Turn-of-the-Century period)

Description

An exceptional surviving cased set of United States Naval officer dress epaulettes, housed in their original fitted metal storage case lined in rich crimson velvet. These ornate shoulder epaulettes were worn with full dress uniforms by commissioned U.S. Navy officers during formal ceremonies and official functions in the late Victorian and early Edwardian era.

The epaulettes feature heavy gold bullion embroidery and finely constructed fringed bullion drops, with gilt buttons bearing the American eagle device. The construction reflects high-quality late 19th-century military tailoring, combining rigid foundation boards, dense bullion work, and silk and textile underlayers.

Notably, the interior fittings show retailer markings for J. Starkey, 23 Conduit Street, London, indicating acquisition through a prestigious London military outfitter. It was common for American officers traveling or stationed abroad to purchase uniform accoutrements from renowned British military tailors and outfitters known for superior craftsmanship.

The survival of both epaulettes together with the original fitted storage case makes this an increasingly scarce and desirable ensemble for collectors of naval history and military regalia.

Features

- Complete matched pair of officer’s bullion epaulettes

- Original fitted metal storage case with velvet interior

- Heavy gold bullion fringe and embroidered construction

- Gilt officer buttons with American eagle insignia

- London outfitter retailer marking: J. Starkey, Conduit Street

- Period silk and textile backing elements retained

- Fine example of late 19th-century naval dress uniform accoutrements

Cultural Significance

Epaulettes represented rank, authority, and prestige within 19th-century naval and military dress. Officers wore them during formal occasions, ceremonial duties, and high-profile naval events. By the late 19th century, such bullion epaulettes symbolized professional status in an expanding modern navy, particularly during the era surrounding the Spanish-American War and America’s emergence as a naval power.

Surviving cased sets are increasingly rare, as bullion components were often separated, damaged, or melted down over time.

Condition

Very good antique condition overall. Bullion remains largely intact with expected age toning and minor areas of wear consistent with period use. Textile backing shows typical age-related fraying and minor losses. Case exterior displays honest wear and paint loss from storage and service use, while interior velvet remains attractive and functional. An excellent preserved period example.

Dimensions (approximate)

Case Length: 9.25 in
Case Width: 6.25 in
Case Height: 6.25 in

Age (Approximate)

120–135 years old

Learn More

Discover A Similar Maritime Artifact at Royal Museums Greenwich .

Explore Our Ancient Combat Artifacts, Armor & Weapons Collection .

Description

Historical Context & Origin

Region: United States Navy (Retailer: London, England)
Material: Gold bullion wire, gilt brass fittings and buttons, textile foundation, velvet-lined metal storage case
Period: Late 19th Century, circa 1890–1905 (Spanish-American War / Turn-of-the-Century period)

Description

An exceptional surviving cased set of United States Naval officer dress epaulettes, housed in their original fitted metal storage case lined in rich crimson velvet. These ornate shoulder epaulettes were worn with full dress uniforms by commissioned U.S. Navy officers during formal ceremonies and official functions in the late Victorian and early Edwardian era.

The epaulettes feature heavy gold bullion embroidery and finely constructed fringed bullion drops, with gilt buttons bearing the American eagle device. The construction reflects high-quality late 19th-century military tailoring, combining rigid foundation boards, dense bullion work, and silk and textile underlayers.

Notably, the interior fittings show retailer markings for J. Starkey, 23 Conduit Street, London, indicating acquisition through a prestigious London military outfitter. It was common for American officers traveling or stationed abroad to purchase uniform accoutrements from renowned British military tailors and outfitters known for superior craftsmanship.

The survival of both epaulettes together with the original fitted storage case makes this an increasingly scarce and desirable ensemble for collectors of naval history and military regalia.

Features

- Complete matched pair of officer’s bullion epaulettes

- Original fitted metal storage case with velvet interior

- Heavy gold bullion fringe and embroidered construction

- Gilt officer buttons with American eagle insignia

- London outfitter retailer marking: J. Starkey, Conduit Street

- Period silk and textile backing elements retained

- Fine example of late 19th-century naval dress uniform accoutrements

Cultural Significance

Epaulettes represented rank, authority, and prestige within 19th-century naval and military dress. Officers wore them during formal occasions, ceremonial duties, and high-profile naval events. By the late 19th century, such bullion epaulettes symbolized professional status in an expanding modern navy, particularly during the era surrounding the Spanish-American War and America’s emergence as a naval power.

Surviving cased sets are increasingly rare, as bullion components were often separated, damaged, or melted down over time.

Condition

Very good antique condition overall. Bullion remains largely intact with expected age toning and minor areas of wear consistent with period use. Textile backing shows typical age-related fraying and minor losses. Case exterior displays honest wear and paint loss from storage and service use, while interior velvet remains attractive and functional. An excellent preserved period example.

Dimensions (approximate)

Case Length: 9.25 in
Case Width: 6.25 in
Case Height: 6.25 in

Age (Approximate)

120–135 years old

Learn More

Discover A Similar Maritime Artifact at Royal Museums Greenwich .

Explore Our Ancient Combat Artifacts, Armor & Weapons Collection .

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